Cleaning and drying means



P 1936. F. OLLISON 2,053,677

CLEANING AND DRYING MEANS Filed Jan. 24, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet l 4 50011577- Fedemoh 0ZZL60774 uJM 4 m 6 Sept. s, 193

F. opuso N CLEANING AND DRYING MEANS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 24,1934 ,NQWNR [wt/entan- Fr edericb 0111:5012) w 8% 'vatt Sept. s, 1936.F. OLLISON 7 CLEANING AND DRYING MEANS Filed Jan. 24, 1954 5Sheets-Sheet 5 OOOOOOO'O Jfi/z/ejzZr fiederdck/ OLLmon,

Sept. 8, 1936. QLUSQN 2,053,677

CLEANING AND DRYING MEANS Filed Jan. 24, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Ollbaora,

Sept. 8, 1936. QLLISQN 2,053,617.-

CLEANING AND DRYING MEANS Filed Jan. 24, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 as 56 84a5 96 67 a5 30 70 75 IQQEQEQHIQ .7777ue2zZ57": FrederLc/a OM50,

Patented Sept. 8, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to cleaning and drying means.

More particularly the present invention relates to a system for cleaninggarments or other fabrics by what is known as the dry-cleaning system.In most systems as now known and used there is a very considerable lossin the solvent used, and for this reason certain high-priced solventswhich are particularly eflicient in cleaning have not found favor in theindustry. The present invention contemplates a system wherein the lossof solvent in service is reduced to a minimum.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning and dryingsystem which will minimize the loss to the atmosphere of the volatilesolvents used in the dry-cleaning process.

A further object is to provide a cleaning and drying system in which thegarments may be transferred from a washing means to a drying meanswithout loss of solvent andin which the solvent carried along with theair for drying the garments may be conveniently recovered.

A further object is to provide a cleaning and drying system having meansfor conveniently setting up drafts for insuring against loss of solvent.

A further object is to provide an improved method of cleaning and dryingfor minimizing the loss of volatile solvent.

A further object is to provide cleaning means involving a rotatable drumin which the parts are well balanced and not likely to get out of orderin service.

Further objects will appear as the description proceeds.

Referring to the drawings- Figure l is a top plan view, parts beingbroken away, of a system embodying the principles of the presentinvention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view omitting many of the structural detailsof Figure 1 but disclosing a diagrammatic layout which simplifies theexplanation of the system shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a view in elevation of a washer which may be used in thepractice of the present invention;

Figure. 4 is a sectional view taken along the I plane indicated by thearrows 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view, on an enlarged scale, of a portion ofthe exterior of the rotating drum shown in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by thearrows 6--6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a view in elevation of a drier which may be used in thepractice of the present invention;

- Figure 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of part of the structureshown in Figure 7, Figure 8 being taken along the plane indicated by thear- 5 rows 8-8 of Figure 9;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along the plane indicated by thearrows 99 of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a view in elevation, parts beingbroken away illustrating recuperating means 10 which may be used in thepractice of the present invention; and

Figure 11 is a view in section taken along the planes indicated by thearrows ll-ll of-Figure 10. illustrating certain of thepiping used in con15 nection with the recuperating means.

As indicated above, the present invention is particularly advantageousfor use with the more expensive solvents used in dry-cleaningoperations. Said expensive solvents have decided advantages insofar asefliciency is concerned, but with the losses in solvent which haveoccurred in systems as commonly known and used, the cost of using thesemore expensive solvents has been high. Examples of the solvents referredto are carbon tetrachloride,- ethelyndichloride, trichloridethelyn, andother solvents. The present invention contemplates a special type ofwasher, a special type of drying machine, means for setting up drafts tominimize losses of solvent, and means for recovering the solvent whichhas been discharged from the drier.

Referring first to Figure 1, the numeral l0 indicates a washer of therotary type and the numeral I I indicates a drier of the rotary type.Said washer I0 and drier II should be located adjacent to each other,and preferably the axes of the rotating tumblers thereof should beparallel. The present invention contemplates a chute l2 which may beremovably connected to the outer casing of the drier II, the entrance tosaid chute being located adjacent to an opening in the outer casing ofthe washer l0, and the exit from said chute being located adjacent to anopening in the outer cas ing of the drier ll. Said chute, as will appearhereinafter, is used only when articles are being transferred from thewasher ID to the drier ll. Referring particularly to Figures 1, 3, 4, 5and 6, the washer I0 is illustrated as comprising the outer shell l3having the heads I l-i4 forming a drum. The shell I3 is provided withthe opening or doorway i5, which opening or doorway I 5 is controlled bythe door I6 swung on the hinges ||--l'|. Any known means may be used fortightening and sealing the door It to the casing l3. Coaxially disposedwithin the casing I3 is the tumbler I8 having the perforated cylindricalwall I9. Said tumbler I8 is carried by bearings, which need not bedescribed -and in the illustrated embodiment said tumbler is providedwith radial partition walls 2|l26 dividing said tumbler into three equalcompartments 2|-2|. Access to eachof the compartments 2| is providedthrough a closure member 22, the details of which are illustrated inFigures 5 and 6. Each of the closure members 22 includes a plate havinga lip 23 extending around its periphery. Said lip 23 is adapted tounderlie the wall IQ of the tumbler l8. Centrally located with respectto the closure member 22 is the outwardly extending portion 24 adaptedto fit more or less closely within a corresponding aperture in the wallI9. Each closure member 22 is provided with a pair of outstanding bosses25-25, which are spaced apart along the longitudinal center line of theclosure member 22. Swingingly mounted upon each boss 25 is a leaf spring26 symmetrically disposed relative to the boss 25 and having curved overend portions 2|2| adapted to contact with the outer surface of the walll9 of the tumbler I8. Each closure member 22 may be perforated like thewall I9. It will be preferred that the plurality of compartments 2|2| beloaded substantially equally. The closure members 22 may be ofsubstantially equal weight, and centrifugal force, by reason of theaction of the lip 23 of each closure member against the inner surface ofthe wall l9, will be substantially uniform in the plurality ofcompartments and will tend to hold the closure members in tightengagement with the inner surface of the wall |9, so that there will beno tendency in service for the parts to work loose and set up unequalstresses around the axis of rotation of the tumbler l8. Removal orreplacement of a closure member 22 is a simple matter, it beingnecessary only to swing the leaf springs 26-26 about their axes andmoving the corresponding closure member into or out of closing position.

In the practice of the present invention the washer I0 may also be usedfor whirling the garments to extract a large part of the solventtherefrom. To this end, means are provided for operating the washer IDwith a slow motion such as will be desired for the washing operation anda faster movement for centrifuging the garments. For this purpose amotor 28 is provided which may be connected to the tumbler |8 throughany preferred driving mechanism, automatic means being provided, ifpreferred, to communicate an oscillating movement to the tumbler l8during the washing operation. A motor 29 may be provided for driving thetumbler |8 at a higher speed suitable for centrifuging the garments. Ahand wheel 30 is provided for turning the tumbler I8 by hand to bringthe closure members 22--22 of the tumbler 8 into registry with theopening l5 in the outer casing of the washer l0. Clutch means may beprovided for disconnecting one motor driving means from the tumbler l8before the other is connected. Clutch means suitable for the purpose arewell known and need not be described herein. The casing I0 is providedwith a drain pipe 3| controlled by a valve 32 for giving off solventfrom the washer l0 after the washing operation. Referring now to Figures1, '7, 8 and 9, it will be noted that the drier is provided with anouter casing 33 having the end walls 34 and 35 providing a closedchamber. Mounted to rotate within the casing 33 is the tumbler 36adapted to be driven by the motor 31. The tumbler 36 is provided withtrunnions 3838 having fluid-tight connection with the end walls 34 and35. In its preferred form, the tumbler 36 has the imperforatecylindrical wall 39 and the perforated end walls 40 and 4|. An annularregion of the wall 40 adjacent to the cylindrical wall 39 is imperforateand is adapted to be contacted by an annular gasket 42 secured to theend wall 34. Communicating with the space within the annular gasket 42is a pipe 43 connected to a blower 44, which may be driven by anypreferred motive means. Connected to the space outside of the annulargasket 42 is the pipe 45, which through the strainer 46 and valve 41connects with the pipe 48. Said pipe 48 connects with the pipe 49 whichleads to a battery of recuperators to be referred to furtherhereinafter. Also communicating with the interior of the drier II is thepipe 50, which pipe 50 connects with the space bounded by the gasket 42,the end wall 34, and the adjacent end wall 40 of the tumbler 39 of saiddrier. Leading from the valve 5| is a pipe 52 which connects with theintake side of a blower 53, which blower 53 may be driven by anypreferred means. Said pipe 52 is connected to the interior of the washerID by means of the pipe 54, which pipe 54 may be controlled by means ofthe valve 55.

The casing 33 of the drier H is provided with a swinging closure member56 provided with sealing and holding means for preventing the escape offumes through the opening or doorway controlled by said closure member.Said casing 33 of the drier may also be provided with a door 51 on itsunder side, which door is also provided with sealing and holding meansfor preventing the escape of fumes. Said closure member 56 may bebounded by the edging member 58 adapted to receive and hold oneextremity of the chute l2.

The present invention contemplates the use of one or preferably aplurality of recuperators for salvaging volatilized solvent. Theillustrated embodiment of the invention includes three of theserecuperators, which are indicated by the numerals 59, 68 and 6|. Saidrecuperators 59, 60 and 6| are illustrated in the form of cylinders, andthey are preferably positioned with their axes vertical andsymmetrically disposed relative to each other.

The internal construction of the particular recuperators chosen forillustration will be clear from an inspection of Figure 10. Inasmuch asthe three recuperators 59, 60 and 6| may be similar in construction, adescription of one will suffice for a description of all. Referring torecuperator 59, it will be noted that said recuperator includes an outercylindrical shell 62, which shell is provided with the bottom plate 63and the top plate 64. Depending from the top of the recuperator 59 isthe perforated cylinder coaxially disposed with respect to the casing62. Said perforated cylinder 65 may extend almost to the bottom of therecuperator 59. Extending down through the top plate 64 of therecuperator 59 is the perforated pipe 66 co-axially disposed withrespect to the cylinders 62 and 65. Said pipe 66 may extend almost tothe bottom of the perforated cylinder 65. The space between the cylinder65 and the pipe 66 may be filled with charcoal or other agent having thequality of adsorbing, absorbing, or taking up volatile solvents such asare used in dry cleaning oper- 16 connects with the valve 11.

meral 81.

Such material is indicated by the nu- For the purpose of retaining thematerial 61 within the perforated cylinder 65, the cylinder 85 should beprovided with a bottom which may be perforated. As illustrated inFigures 2 and 11, the pipe 49 connects with a pipe 68 which forms acomplete loop at the extremity of said pipe- 49. Also connecting withthe pipe 49 is a pipe 69 which connects with the loop 68. Said loop 68and pipe 69 are provided with a plurality of valves and otherconnections which will now be referred to.

The description of the valves and connections may be prefaced by thestatement that it is contemplated in the operation of the presentinvention to utilize two of the recuperators 59, 68 and 8| in serieswhile the third recuperator is undergoing treatment to extract solventwhich has been collected in said third recuperator. The identity of theparticular recuperators performing their recuperating functions, and ofthe particular recuperator being cleaned out may be chosen as preferredby manipulation of the valves referred to. The connections and valveswhich will now be described have the function of enabling the operatorto direct air laden with volatiles upwardly through one of therecuperators and upwardly through a neighboring recuperator out througha condensing means so that sub stantially all of the volatiles may berecovered.

In order to simplify the description, the diagrammatic view embodied inFigure 2 will be referred to particularly. Said figure shows the washerextractor and drier in elevation and in their preferred relationship toone another. The other elements of the systems have been illustrated outof their preferred positions for the purpose of rendering the diagrammore readily understandable.

The loop 68 is provided with the valve 18 which controls communicationfrom the pipe 49 to the coupling 1|. Said coupling 1| through the pipe12 has a connection with the recuperator 59 through the bottom platethereof. Said coupling 1| also connects with the valve 13 which valveconnects with the coupling 14. Said coupling 14 connects with the valve15 which connects with the coupling 16. The coupling Said valve 18,coupling 1|, valve 13, coupling 14, valve 15, coupling 18, and valve 11,are located in series in the loop 68 connected with the pipe 49. Saidcoupling 16 through the pipe 18 connects to the interior of therecuperator 8| through the bottom plate thereof.

Coupling 14 is connected to the pipe 69 above referred to which connectswith the pipe 49. From inspection of Figures 2 and 11, it will be notedthat the coupling 14 also connects with the valve 19 which is connectedwith the coupling 88. Said coupling 88 through the upstanding pipe 8|connects with the interior of the recuperator 68 through the bottomplate thereof. Said coupling 88 also connects with the valve 82. Saidvalve 19, coupling 88, and valve 82 are disposed in series in the pipe69.

Disposed at the top of the recuperators 59, 68 and 6| is a system ofpipes. One line of pipes, indicated 'by the numeral 83, includes thevalve 84, the coupling 85, the valve 86, the coupling 81, the valve 88,the coupling 89, and the valve 98. One end of said line of pipe 83 isadapted to be connected to a blower 890 which may be driven by anypreferred means. Connected to the coupling 81 is a pipe line 98aprovided with ations.

the valve 9|, the coupling 92 and the valve 98 in series in said pipeline. In practice the couplings 81 and 14 will be located one above theother, and will be connected together by means of the pipe 94.

Each of the couplings 85, 89 and 92 is provided with a steam connection95, .each of said steam connections being individually controllable bymeans of valve 96. Each of the three couplings 1|, 18 and 88 at thebottoms of the three recuperators 59, 68 and BI is provided with a steamconnection 91. Each of said steam connections is provided with a valve'98. Said three steam connections 91 through the corresponding valves 98lead to a common condenser 99 where solvents carried along by the steamwill be condensed and salvaged.

A mode of operation of the above described embodiment of the presentinvention is substantially as follows.

An operator will charge garments to be cleaned into the washer l8, saidwasher having disposed therein a predetermined amount of solvent whichas stated above, may be one of the more efficient solvents which commanda relatively high price on the market. The garments will preferably beequally distributed as to weight within the compartments 2|2| of thetumbler ll! of said washer. Each closure member 22 of the tumbler l8will be entirely removed at the time when garments are being chargedinto the corresponding compartment 2|. When it is desired to mount theclosure member 22 in its operative position, said closure member may begrasped by means of the leaf springs 26-46, said leaf springs beingturned out of their right angular relationship with the longitudinalaxis of the corresponding closure member 22, the operator, grasping thesprings 2626, may insert the closure member into the correspondingcompartment 2| with an endwise movement of the closure member 22, andwill locate the lip 23 against the inner surface of the tumbler i8. Theoperator will then turn the springs 28-26 into the positions illustratedin Figure 5 in which the extremities of said springs abut against theouter surface of the tumbler l8. In practice it will be found desirableto operate the tumbler l8 at a relatively slow speed during the washingoperation, but after the washing operation the garments will preferablybe hydroed or centrifuged at a higher speed.

The particular type of closure member 22 is of advantage during thisrelatively high speed centrifuging operation for the reason thatcentrifugal force will urge the lip 23 into tight engagement with theinner surface of the tumbler |8 so that in contrast to the action ofother closures with which applicant is familiar, there will be notendency for the parts of the closure member to work loose, shake andset up unbalanced forces.

It will be understood that after the garments have been charged into theplurality of compartments of the tumbler Hi, the door l6 will be tightlyclosed and the tumbler will be operated preferably with an oscillatorymovement to allow thorough action of the solvent upon the garments.After the cleaning action has been accomplished the valve 32 (Figure 3)will be opened to drain off the solvent. The tumbler |8 may then bedriven at a relatively high speed whereby liquid solvent will be thrownout of the garments by centrifugal force.

After the garments have been centrifuged, the tumbler l8 will be stoppedand the various compartments will be opened in succession, it being asimple matter after the closure member I6 has been opened to remove eachclosure 22 by turning of the leaf springs 26-26 and sliding the closurewith an endwise movement through its corresponding opening in thecylindrical wall of the tumbler I8 and through the opening in the casingcontrolled by the closure member I6. When the garments are being removedfrom the various compartments 2I2I, the chute I2 will be located in theposition shown in Figures 1 and 2; the open end of the chute I2 beinglocated adjacent to the opening in the washer I0, the other end of thechute I2 being disposed upon the edging member 58 of the drier I, theclosure member 56 of the drier being open. At this time the blower 53will be started. Said blower will draw air and fumes from the washer I0through the pipe'54 and valve 55 and also draw air and fumes from thedrier I I through the pipe 50, valve 5|, and pipe 52. The air and fumesreferred to from the washer I0 and drier II will be directed through thevalve 49a to the pipe 49, whence said air and fumes will pass to therecuperators above referred to. The particular course of the air andfumes from the pipe 49 through the recuperators will be describedpresently. With the blower 53 drawing air and fumes from both the washerI0 and the drier II, the operator may withdraw the cleaned garments fromthe various compartments 2I-2I of the tumbler I8 of the washer I0,dumping them into the chute I2 without losing any material amount ofvolatile solvent. Preferably that end of the chute I2 adjacent thewasher ID will be of ahigher level than the other end of said chute sothat the garments will tend to gravitate into the drier II. Tumbler 39of the drier II will of course be so located during this operation thatthe closure member 39a thereof will be in registry with the closuremember 56 of the casing 33 of said drier.

After the garments from the washer I0 have been charged into the tumbler39 of the drier II, the closure member 39a will be disposed in operativeposition with respect to the tumbler 39 and the closure member 56 in thecasing 33 will be closed. The chute I2 will be removed at this time.Valve 5| in the pipe 50 leading from the drier II will be closed and afurther loading of garments may be charged into the compartments 2|-2|of the tumbler I8 of the washer I0. A washing operation may be carriedon in the washer I 0 while a drying operation is proceeding in the drierII. For the purpose of supplying air to the drier II the blower 44 willbe set in operation to direct a blast of air through the pipe 43 intothe space bounded by the gasket 42, the end wall 34 of the casing 33,and the end wall 40 of the tumbler 39 (Figure 8). Inasmuch as the endwall 40 is provided with perforations, and inasmuch as the air will beprevented from passing the gasket 42, the air delivered by the blower 44will pass into and through the tumbler 39, carrying along volatilizedsolvent which passes out through the perforations in the end wall 36 ofthe tumbler 39. At this time the valve 49a will be closed and the valve41 will be open so that the air laden with volatiles may pass throughthe pipe 45, strainer 46, and valve 41 to the pipe 49 for delivery tothe recuperators. Blowing operation from the blower 44 will continueuntil the. garments within the drier II have been sufliciently dried,after which the closure member 39a may be brought into registry with theclosure member 56 so that the dried garments may be removed from thedrier II.

The method of operation of the recuperators and their connections willbe substantially as follows. As indicated above, it is preferred to usetwo of the three recuperators in series while the third recuperator isbeing treated to have the adsorbed solvents removed therefrom. To thisend it will be preferred by many operators to connect a freshly cleanedrecuperator in series with one which has been used to a fraction of itscapacity.

Let it be assumed that the recuperator 59 is a freshly cleanedrecuperator and that the recuperator 6| has been performing itsfunctions of recovering solvent, but that the adsorbing material thereinhas not been used to capacity. Under these conditons recuperator 59 willbe connected in series with recuperator 6| while recuperator 60 is beingcleaned out. At this time valve I0 will be open so that the solventladen air may pass up through the pipe I2 to the interior of therecuperator 59. Said solvent laden air will enter through theperforations in cylinder 65, pass through the material 61, entering thepipe 66 through the perforations thereof. At this time the valve 84 willbe closed and the valve 66 will be open so that the air containing suchsolvents as have not been adsorbed by the material 61 in the recuperator59 will pass down through the pipe 94 to the loop 68. At this time thevalve I3 is closed and the valve I5 is open so that the air partiallycharged with solvent may pass through coupling I6 and pipe I8 into therecuperator 6|. The valve 88 is closed at this time, and the valve 90 isopen. The remaining solvent in the air entering the recuperator 6| willbe adsorbed by the material 6'! within said recuperator 6| and the airfreed of its solvent will pass through the valve 90 to the atmosphere.While recuperators 59 and 6| are operating as immediately abovedescribed, recuperator 60 will be cleaned out. For this purpose thesteam valve 96 associated with recuperator 60 will be opened, and steamwill be directed down through said recuperator 60. At this time valves9| and 93 will be closed and valve 98 at the bottom of recuperator 60will be open so that steam may pass through the material 61 ofrecuperator 60 into the condenser 99 wherein the solvent removed fromrecuperator 60 in the steaming process will be recovered.

Recuperators 59 and 6| may be used for the recuperating operation untilthe adsorbing material in recuperator 6| has been used to its capacity.Inasmuch as in the example chosen for illustration the describedoperation started with a freshly cleaned recuperator 59 and a partlycharged recuperator 6|, at the time when recuperator 6| has beenexhausted, recuperator 59 will be only partially charged. The operatorwill then manipulate the various valves to connect recuperator 69 andrecuperator 59 in series while recuperator 6| is being cleaned by meansof steam directed through its corresponding valve 96 and itscorresponding valve 98 to the condenser 99. During the time thatrecuperators 60 and BI are operative, recuperator 59 will be cleanedout. The positions of the various valves for theoperations just referredto need not be described in detail for the reason that they may bereadily understood from the above description.

' -It will be understood without a detailed explanation that the threerecuperators will be used in rotation, two of said recuperators beingused in series while the third is being cleaned out. Between certain ofthe operations the blower 89 may be set in operation and the variousvalves so positioned that fumes which may collect in the upper portionsof the recuperators and the piping connected therewith may be blown out.

Though a preferred embodiment of the present invention has beendescribed in detail, many modifications will occur to those skilled inthe art. It is intended to cover all such modifications that fall withinthe scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is' 1. A cleaning and drying system comprising a washingmachine having a chamber and means within said chamber for treatingclothes with a solvent, a drying machine having a chamber and meanswithin said chamber for drying clothes, said chamber having a doorway, aremovable continuous tubular chute having one end near the doorway ofone chamber and the other end closely fitting the doorway of the otherchamber, means for directing a blast of air through said drying machine,and means for withdrawing air from said chambers and disposing of thesolvent vapors in the air drawn from the system.

2. In cleaning and drying means, in combination, a washing machinehaving a chamber and means within said chamber for treating clothes witha solvent, a drying machine having a cham-' her and means within saidchamber for drying 5 clothes, each chamber having a doorway, a removable continuous tubular chute having one end near the doorway of onechamber and the other end closely fitting the doorway of the otherchamber, and means for withdrawing air from 10 the latter chamber anddisposing of the solvent vapors in the air drawn from the system.

3. In cleaning and drying means, in combination, a washing machinehaving a chamber and. means within said chamber for treating clotheswith a solvent, a drying machine having a chamber and. means within saidchamber for drying clothes, each chamber having a. doorway, a removablecontinuous tubular chute having one end near the doorway of one chamberand theother 20 closely fitting the doorway of the other chamher, andmeans for withdrawing air from both of said chambers and disposing ofthe solvent vapors in the air drawn from the system,

FREDERICK OLLISON.

